Difference in the mobility of lectin sites on the surface membrane of normal lymphocytes and malignant lymphoma cells

Abstract

Binding sites for Concanavalin A (Con A) can move on the surface membrane. This induction of movement resulted in the formation of caps of Con A membrane‐site complexes in normal lymph‐node or spleen lymphocytes, but not in a line of malignant lymphoma cells. This indicates a difference in the mobility of Con A sites on the surface membrane of normal lymphocytes and lymphoma cells. Binding sites for the lectin from wheat germ (WGA) did not form caps either on normal lymphocytes or on lymphoma cells. Normal lymphocytes with caps induced by Con A still showed binding of WGA to the rest of the membrane. The mobility of Con A sites was, therefore, independent of WGA sites. The difference in the mobility of binding sites for Con A on the surface membrane of normal lymphocytes and lymphoma cells suggests that changes in the fluid state of the carbohydrate‐containing structures on the surface where the Con A sites are located, are associated with malignant cell transformation.